Learning Environment

There is, as always, a time and a place for small rewards and time to relax, but these rewards shouldn’t take precedent over learning just because school isn’t open.

  1. Ensure all distractions are switched off or well out of reach – mobile phones should be switched off / on silent or placed in another room – the TV also shouldn’t be on. Quiet, calm music in the background might provide a suitable backdrop to work being completed provided it doesn’t distract. The more effectively you use the time you have got, the longer you will have to undertake your usual free time activities and interests.

  2. Use a table or suitable flat surface and a chair for work to be completed on. Ensure that you remain hydrated with water and are able to eat in line with your normal routine.

  3. Conversation - once learning has taken place, talk about it – talk to your siblings an parents/carers about what you learned during their last hour or during the day – ask yourself questions and test yourself. Be prepared to answer questions such as:

    • “What do you know now that you didn’t when you started this task?”

    • Explain ……. to me”

    • “Tell me about …….”

  4. Learning can be frustrating at times and it can sometimes feel easier to just look up the answer – if you are stuck, provided you use looking for the answer as an opportunity to test yourself again later and then again in a few days, that’s fine – it’s better than not knowing the answer at all!

  5. Don’t give up with “I can’t do it” or “I don’t understand”. Learning can be difficult, it shouldn’t always be easy, but provided the information or answer can be found (the internet is usually very helpful here), it is possible to complete tasks, check them, learn information and then return to the information later in order to revisit it (or revise) and then again at some point later.